The Ultimate Guide to Burst Pipes: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Solutions

Winter can be pretty perfect. From serene snowfall, to family-filled holidays, to cozy nights in front of the fireplace, we all look forward to something as the temperatures drop. Our homes have it a little tougher though, withstanding brutal cold, high winds, and stacked up snow. These conditions put our insulation to the test, while revealing any and all leaks in our doors and windows. But that’s not all.

Homeowners, especially in the Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York region, have to worry about water pipes freezing, those same pipes bursting, and the resulting water damage. In this guide, we’ll first discuss why pipes burst and what to watch for. Then, we’ll talk about some preventative measures you can take. Finally, we’ll discuss what to do if you face a burst pipe and subsequent water damage, along with when you should call a public insurance claims adjuster. Once you’re prepared, you can get back in front of the fireplace and back to the joys of the winter season.

Why do pipes burst in the winter?

A burst pipe is a potential worst case scenario for homeowners. This can occur when water inside a pipe freezes and expands, creating tremendous pressure on the hardware and causing it to burst and crack. If you have brand new water pipes, they might (keyword: might) be strong enough to handle the first time freezing, but the pressure will still have a negative impact on expensive hardware and, really, why even take the chance?

There’s certain water pipes in your home that are at greater risk of freezing, beginning with supply lines in unheated interior locations like the basement, garage, and crawl space. Also, the Red Cross lists “kitchen cabinets” as another danger area, along with “pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation.” Let’s be honest, we’re probably describing most of your indoor water lines! When thinking of outdoor water lines, you have to consider supply lines coming into your home, along with the hose spigot, swimming pool supplies, and any sprinklers you run.

So, what’s the worst that can happen? According to Michigan.gov, an 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can “be enough to leak up to 250 gallons of water a day, destroying floors, furniture and personal property.” In other words, if you don’t turn off the water line, it could be a disaster. According to Consumer Reports, burst pipes “are one of the most common causes of property damage during frigid weather and can cause thousands in water damage—easily $5,000 or more.”

How do you know if you have a burst pipe?

If it’s not an obvious situation (water leaking down walls or on ceilings, water pooling under your sink), you can catch other warning signs of a burst pipe. First, what does a burst pipe sound like? You may be able to hear dripping sounds when all the faucets are off. You may hear running water. A damaged pipe (burst or otherwise) can also affect water pressure, which creates additional noise. This could be in the form of banging, grinding, hissing or gurgling. A professional will be able to further diagnose what specific sounds mean, but just keep your ears open during the coldest parts of winter.

Moving out of the home, underground supply lines can burst too! For this issue, pay attention to your water quality. According to M5 Plumbing Services, if an underground water pipe bursts, “dirt and other contaminants can get into the water.” If this goes on long enough, the pipe can rust and those “particles give the water a brownish tint.” Inconsistency in your water quality is a sign of something wrong within your plumbing system (or the city/county’s lines), so get it checked out immediately. Staying outdoors, soft spots in your yard can be another sign of a supply line failing.

Finally, a high water bill can also alert you to leaks somewhere within your plumbing. This doesn’t immediately equal a burst pipe — perhaps it’s a constantly running toilet, for example — but that could be another sign that a pipe is leaking in an unseen area.

Preventing burst pipes and damage in the winter

Our preventative measures start in a pretty obvious place: how warm do you keep your house? According to Weather.gov, 55 degrees Fahrenheit is the lowest you should go on your heating to avoid burst pipes. If you can afford to go warmer, you might as well. The money added to your heating bill will certainly be less than paying for water damage.

Maybe you’re escaping the winter weather by heading south or to some other warm climate. Have fun, but don’t forget about your house! Have a friend check on your furnace every couple days to make sure it’s still running. If your furnace is really old, you may even want that neighbor stopping in daily.

When truly frigid weather hits, you can open up cabinet doors in the kitchen and bathroom to make sure warm air hits those water pipes. This is especially important if the pipes sit against an outer wall. Experts also recommend that on very cold days, you leave “at least one sink on a slow drip to keep water moving in the pipes.”

Other preventative measures double as general heating tips. This includes updating your overall insulation and sealing off any leaks around doors and windows that let in cold air. You can also apply insulation directly to pipes that sit in cold areas of the home. For all these home improvements, make sure you’re consulting a professional in order to use the correct materials. If pipes are freezing often, you may want to follow the Red Cross’s suggestion of “relocating exposed pipes to provide increased protection.”

In terms of outdoor water lines, there’s a few easy fixes to implement at the end of each fall. First, make sure you turn off the spigots and close the inside valves that supply them. Then, drain and store any outdoor use hoses. According to the Red Cross, you should also “drain water from [your] swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following manufacturer’s or installer’s directions.” A burst pipe outdoors may not seem as damaging, but your lawn will certainly disagree when it’s flooded!

What to do when a pipe bursts

If preventative measures fail and you’re facing a burst pipe, you’ll want to act quickly. Turn off your water immediately to avoid further damage. If you don’t know where your water main shutoff valve is, ask your plumber on their next visit. After turning off the water, you can open a faucet to relieve any remaining pressure and empty the lines.

From here, call a professional to get the pipe fixed. While waiting, you can go into cleanup mode. One safety question to ask yourself: did the leak get near any electrical wiring or other electrical equipment? If so, you’re best off calling an electrician to make sure the proper circuit breakers are turned off. If you’re safe, grab your mop, sponges, old towels, and anything else that can help soak up water. Running a dehumidifier may also help.

Before cleaning, fully photograph the area to provide proof to your insurance company of what you dealt with. It’s better to over-photograph than not have enough.

If you find a frozen pipe, but it hasn’t burst, you can try thawing it out. According to Better Homes and Gardens, the first step is to head to “the nearest affected faucet and turn it on.” In addition, “opening the faucet helps to relieve the pressure in the system to reduce the chance that the pipe will burst.” You can also use a hair dryer, heat tape or a space heater to speed up the process. Don’t use anything with an open flame. Furthermore, if you find one frozen pipe, there might be more. Do a full inspection of the visible water lines.

Are burst pipes covered by homeowners insurance?

It may depend on your policy, but unexpected occurrences like a burst pipe are generally covered by homeowners insurance. According to Travelers Insurance, “cleaning, repair or replacement of wood flooring, drywall and even furniture due to water damage as a result of a burst pipe typically are covered.” But beware. They also mention that if you’ve ignored a long-standing problem with a water pipe or line, that’s where the coverage may end. American Family Insurance states that if you don’t maintain proper heat in your home, and that’s why the pipes burst, they won’t cover the resulting damage. Progressive says the same thing about improperly heating your home, calling it negligence. The point is, you have to follow preventative measures to get the corresponding home coverage.

If you have to deal with water damage in your home, contact Disaster Recovery Adjusters LLC to help you open a claim with your insurance company immediately. We will report all the damage and help you to prevent any further damage to the property. Do not move or throw anything away as that’s evidence to support your claim. As we stated previously, take photos of the water before cleaning up.

Disaster Recovery Adjusters can be your advocates in these battles with the insurance company, and we can analyze your home and gather all the needed evidence for a quick and fair settlement

Each situation will be different, but we’ll be sure to fight on your behalf if you have a valid case.